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3.74 AVERAGE
3.74 AVERAGE
adventurous
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I really like following Jebi in this story. Their point of view as an artist just trying to get a job and ending up at the center of a revolution was really fun, and I loved the dragon. Most of my issues with this book come from not quiet getting the ending. I don't really know why it ended the way it did. It felt both too fantastical and somber at the same time which just didn't work for me. But I will still read anything Yoon Ha Lee puts out there because I love their imagination and even though I didn't love the ending I still had a great time reading this book.
I did enjoy this and I think in the future I will reread it. I just wish some things had been addressed deeper.
Thanks to Solaris and Netgalley for the ARC.
Sadly, I found this one quite hard to get into - I think seeing the author is Yoon Ha Lee sets some very high expectations, which Phoenix Extravagant just didn't quite live up to. I was about half-way through the book before I found myself invested in the events unfolding - the narrative begins at a fairly slow pace, and I found it difficult to connect with our narrator Jebi in particular. All of this said, things definitely pick up once Arazi arrives - I really enjoyed the dry asides from this character. There were plenty of side and background characters who I was intrigued by - I think I would have loved to have learnt more about the world as a whole, perhaps from these viewpoints other than just Jebi's.
Sadly, I found this one quite hard to get into - I think seeing the author is Yoon Ha Lee sets some very high expectations, which Phoenix Extravagant just didn't quite live up to. I was about half-way through the book before I found myself invested in the events unfolding - the narrative begins at a fairly slow pace, and I found it difficult to connect with our narrator Jebi in particular. All of this said, things definitely pick up once Arazi arrives - I really enjoyed the dry asides from this character. There were plenty of side and background characters who I was intrigued by - I think I would have loved to have learnt more about the world as a whole, perhaps from these viewpoints other than just Jebi's.
adventurous
inspiring
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
A brilliant fantasy adventure full of big, difficult subjects like colonialism, the value of art, whether violent resistance is justified or effective. The setting, cultures, magic and mythology involved are full of life and Yoon Ha Lee handles them deftly, telling you so much about the world and the characters' relations to it but not crowding you with information. Also there is a talking mechanical dragon and so many queer characters. I loved it so much.
I received a free advanced reading copy from Negtalley in exchange for an honest review.
Phoenix Extravagant is a delightful standalone in a world of lengthy scifi series.
To be completely honest, its plot, as described by Yoon was what won me over, besides that amazing cover. So please, allow me to quote his words: “It’s about a nonbinary painter teaming up with a pacifist mecha dragon against an evil empire (as one does), and it takes place in a magical version of Korea during the Japanese occupation.”
It is a delightful read that I absolutely enjoyed and shines its most with its characters. Jebi is an amazing character, one would say they may be a bit typical in terms of a hero of the story kinda novel, but I would like to disagree. They are by no means trying to be the hero of the story in any case, they just try to get by, and earn some money to survive in the times that they have to live, and if that is not relatable for you I quit.
The plot itself may be on a first interpretation quite simple and again, be framed as typical within what we are used to in the genre. However, colonialism, cultural imposition, identity and cultural erasure are very presents in the plot and I do have to think very hard to find this elements, well treated and developed, in other works. I couldn’t say I enjoyed those parts, but I do think it is a very necessary part of this kind of fiction that most of the time is overlooked or not given the importance necessary. Today, more than ever, I feel like this issues have to be voiced both in fiction and reality.
And I do have to say I loved the ending. Closed enough that does not leave you with a feeling of wanting to know more about the story or the characters but also opening new plots in a way that it could place the opportunity of more books on the same universe. If that is the case, sign me up!
Overall it is a very good novel that I read in a couple of days. I do think it brings new things to the table and widens representation in many aspects so this is gonna be one I will be recommending to pretty much everyone!
Phoenix Extravagant is a delightful standalone in a world of lengthy scifi series.
To be completely honest, its plot, as described by Yoon was what won me over, besides that amazing cover. So please, allow me to quote his words: “It’s about a nonbinary painter teaming up with a pacifist mecha dragon against an evil empire (as one does), and it takes place in a magical version of Korea during the Japanese occupation.”
It is a delightful read that I absolutely enjoyed and shines its most with its characters. Jebi is an amazing character, one would say they may be a bit typical in terms of a hero of the story kinda novel, but I would like to disagree. They are by no means trying to be the hero of the story in any case, they just try to get by, and earn some money to survive in the times that they have to live, and if that is not relatable for you I quit.
The plot itself may be on a first interpretation quite simple and again, be framed as typical within what we are used to in the genre. However, colonialism, cultural imposition, identity and cultural erasure are very presents in the plot and I do have to think very hard to find this elements, well treated and developed, in other works. I couldn’t say I enjoyed those parts, but I do think it is a very necessary part of this kind of fiction that most of the time is overlooked or not given the importance necessary. Today, more than ever, I feel like this issues have to be voiced both in fiction and reality.
And I do have to say I loved the ending. Closed enough that does not leave you with a feeling of wanting to know more about the story or the characters but also opening new plots in a way that it could place the opportunity of more books on the same universe. If that is the case, sign me up!
Overall it is a very good novel that I read in a couple of days. I do think it brings new things to the table and widens representation in many aspects so this is gonna be one I will be recommending to pretty much everyone!
adventurous
emotional
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
The main character Jebi is an artist. They are talented, a bit naive but jobless and desperate so they accept a job working for the government set up by the people who invaded their country. It's a job working with automaton soldiers that are powered by magic.
Now the sci-fi fantasy mash up of machines powered by magic pigments was SO COOL, especially the sentient dragon Arazi who I loved. The entire construction of the magic system was so detailed and so unlike anything I've read. Parts of it were reminiscent of programming, it was twisted and different but there was still enough there to make it feel tangible.
The rest of the world building and politics is also really well done but my favourite part was the characters and the relationships between them. I loved the complex relationship that Jebi has with their sister and how it changes. I also really liked the romance which is rare for me to say, there were so many layers and conflicting feelings.
The only thing that made me contemplate dropping my rating a bit was that it's a standalone and I want more! There is quite a lot of stuff unresolved at the end, we get a glimpse into the world and see Jebi go on a journey and grow as a character but the overall conflict is still going and it's frustrating knowing we won't get to see any of it. In the end, I loved it anyway and it gets a full five stars from me.
If you've read Ninefox Gambit, I feel obligated to say this is nothing like that. If you liked that series, this is completely different so don't come in expecting something of the same scope. If you didn't like it (I was not a big fan), again this is completely different, it's worth trying Phoenix Extravagant if you're interested in the premise.
Now the sci-fi fantasy mash up of machines powered by magic pigments was SO COOL, especially the sentient dragon Arazi who I loved. The entire construction of the magic system was so detailed and so unlike anything I've read. Parts of it were reminiscent of programming, it was twisted and different but there was still enough there to make it feel tangible.
The rest of the world building and politics is also really well done but my favourite part was the characters and the relationships between them. I loved the complex relationship that Jebi has with their sister and how it changes. I also really liked the romance which is rare for me to say, there were so many layers and conflicting feelings.
The only thing that made me contemplate dropping my rating a bit was that it's a standalone and I want more! There is quite a lot of stuff unresolved at the end, we get a glimpse into the world and see Jebi go on a journey and grow as a character but the overall conflict is still going and it's frustrating knowing we won't get to see any of it. In the end, I loved it anyway and it gets a full five stars from me.
If you've read Ninefox Gambit, I feel obligated to say this is nothing like that. If you liked that series, this is completely different so don't come in expecting something of the same scope. If you didn't like it (I was not a big fan), again this is completely different, it's worth trying Phoenix Extravagant if you're interested in the premise.
adventurous
emotional
inspiring
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
The cover is stunning and has been imprinted in my mind since before the book was released.
The nonbinary and polyamorous representation is well done.
The concept of wiping out an opponent's culture by actively destroying their artwork and turning the remains into a weapon is so meaningful, wow </spoiler/> !
I love that Jebi is an artist and not a soldier. The whole situation plays to the idea that for a successful revolution, anyone can contribute regardless of skill set.
The romance aspect of this story and Vei as a character is so unique.
What I loved most about this book is the humor in the voice given to Arazi .
I’d recommend Phoenix Extravagant to any fantasy fan, but especially those that have read a lot of Young Adult and are looking to branch out into Adult Fantasy. Jebi is 27 and somewhat ignorant of the world around them at the beginning, yet rebellious in the best ways. The language is approachable, the twists exhilarating, and the few sex related scenes handled with care.
The conclusion sets us up well for a sequel that I can’t wait to read. This book was a lovely introduction for me to Yoon Ha Lee’s work and I’m looking forward to more!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Blood
Moderate: Confinement, Sexual content
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
fast-paced
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Biggest book hang over.
I was really enjoying this for most of the book. I LOVED having a nonbinary artist POV - especially one where their gender isn't an issue and it's their bumbling inability to focus on anything that isn't art that gets them in trouble. Jebi is so relatable. The novel is dense enough that I had to be in a quiet place to focus on it, but it's so fascinating.
Some of my favorite things about it:
1 - casual unremarkable nonbinary characters, LGBT+ relationships, and polyamory THAT DON'T DRIVE THE STORY.
2 - The magical paints. Also the process by which they're created made me cringe, as an artist.
3 - Giant metal war machine dragon that's actually a pacifist and more of a philosopher than anything? Heck yeah.
4 - bumbling artist attempts to find a job as an artist and ends up working for the war department of their conquerors? oops.
What even was up with that ending though??? It really threw me. The pacing is off for the last 20% or so as well, the combination of which knocked a star off my rating.
*Thanks to NetGalley and Rebellion publishing for providing an e-arc to review
Some of my favorite things about it:
1 - casual unremarkable nonbinary characters, LGBT+ relationships, and polyamory THAT DON'T DRIVE THE STORY.
2 - The magical paints. Also the process by which they're created made me cringe, as an artist.
3 - Giant metal war machine dragon that's actually a pacifist and more of a philosopher than anything? Heck yeah.
4 - bumbling artist attempts to find a job as an artist and ends up working for the war department of their conquerors? oops.
What even was up with that ending though??? It really threw me. The pacing is off for the last 20% or so as well, the combination of which knocked a star off my rating.
*Thanks to NetGalley and Rebellion publishing for providing an e-arc to review